European car sales plunge as economic downturn deepens

Berlin, Dec 16 (DPA) European car sales plunged 25.8 percent in November, data released Tuesday showed as global economic downturn continues to deepen.Releasing the data, the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) said the last time that new car registrations in Europe dropped at such a pace was in 1999 and 1993.

The publication of the ACEA figures came as governments around the world consider rescue plans to help their carmakers limp through the current economic downturn and the US’s top three carmaking groups wait for a decision on a government-backed bail-out.